Golestan
- A Royal Palace in Tehran of the former Imperial Iran - now a
museum
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Golestan Palace, actually a
complex of palaces in Tehran was the seat and home of the Kahdja Dynasty
but was used by the last of the shahs, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi and his
father Reza Shah for ceremonial occasions. It was in fact where Mohammad
crowned himself and his queen after being returned from exile last
century. Despite the upheaval during the 1979 revolution revolution such
palaces remain as museums to Iran's past glories and are open to the
Iranian public to view. The bust at the foot of the stairs is that of the
last shah of the Kahdja Dynasty which preceded the Pahlavis.

The grand staircase leading to staterooms where
foreign dignitaries were received. The last Shah of Iran, Mohammad Pahlavi,
and for that matter his wife, were crowned in one of the rooms above the
staircase. Today Golestan is preserved as a museum. The bust on the left
is of the last shah of the Kahdja
Dynasty which preceded the Pahlavis.

Despite the upheaval during the 1979 revolution
revolution such palaces remain as museums to Iran's past history and are
open to all visitors.

I am unsure what purpose this building served but
interesting is the old imperial symbol of the sun and lion picked out in
detail in coloured mosaic. In fact all the buildings are finished in the
most elaborate mosaic something typically Iranian. I did not find out why
part of the building was obscured by an enormous curtain but suppose it
was to protect the wall or windows from the sun. If I find out more I will
amend this description.

Here is an example of Iranian craftsmanship.
marble floor, self supporting arched ceiling and so much more; all below
ground level.

Another beautifully ornate room. Don't know it's
original purpose but like the hall with the fountain it was probably
cool(ish) in summer before the days of airconditionain.

The smaller buildings are living quarters with
some very comfortable rooms. To the left is one of a pair of towers which
I at first thought were the minarets of a mosque but now I think it more
likely they are wind towers providing cool air to the rooms below.

A comfortable room but not so sumptuous
as many others others in Golestan. Just comfortable with its tiled floor
and partially tiled whitewashed walls but now look up at it in the
panorama to see the ceiling. Looks like a Persian carpet but is in fact
painted wood. Similar ceilings can be found in Shiraz from
where, someone told me, this one was taken. I don't know whether true or
not!

If you want panoramas of your
home or business please let me know. e-mailMark
Schuster

Sorry
there are no panoramas to link to for the following!
I wasn't allowed inside the staterooms situated above the grand staircase
and had
to be content with a couple of fisheye photos taken from the roped off
doorways.